Osteochondrosis of the spine

Spinal osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the spine (which involves the gradual destruction of tissue and dysfunction).The most important changes are related to the intervertebral disc (an elastic structure between the vertebrae and a kind of shock absorber that absorbs the shocks and vibrations of the vertebrae relative to each other when walking).With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs harden, harden and often protrude into the spinal canal, where they compress the spinal cord itself or its roots and can cause corresponding discomfort (pain in the arms and legs, back, numbness of the skin of the extremities).

Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis

• Pain in the back and neck: especially in the evening, after physical activity.
• Painful feeling of tension in individual back muscles.
• Numbness of the skin on the arms or legs (fingertips or as a separate stripe on the skin).
• Weakness of the arm or leg muscles.
• Atrophy (thinning) of the arm and leg muscles.
• Dizziness, headaches: when the vertebral artery between the cervical vertebrae that supplies the brain becomes narrowed.

Forms

• Depending on which part of the spine the greatest changes are localized, the following forms of spinal osteochondrosis are distinguished:
  • osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
  • osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine;
  • Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
• Depending on the structural changes that have occurred in the intervertebral disc (elastic formation between the vertebrae), the following stages of spinal osteochondrosis are distinguished:
  • Stage 1: intradiscal movement of the disc nucleus (dense formation in its center) to the edge;
  • Stage 2: appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc (composed of connective tissue) and instability of the spine (excessive mobility);
  • Stage 3: complete disc herniation with prolapse in the form of a hernia into the spinal canal, possible compression of the spinal cord roots;
  • Stage 4: gross changes not only in the intervertebral discs, but also in the surrounding tissues (overgrowth of bone tissue, strong pathological fixation of the vertebrae among themselves).

Reasons

• Excessive stress on the spine:
  • Occupational risks: heavy lifting (e.g. for loaders), prolonged work in a static (motionless) position;
  • excess weight, which increases the load on the spine;
  • Lifting excessively large objects (exorbitantly heavy).
• Spinal injuries: vertebral fractures, ligament tears.
• Hereditary causes: tendency to gradual disruption of the nutrition of the vertebrae and the tissues surrounding them (ligaments, intervertebral discs).

diagnosis

• Analysis of complaints and medical history:
  • How long has it been since you first experienced back pain, numbness in your fingers and toes, and other problems?
  • whether work or household activities involve lifting heavy objects, long-term maintenance of a motionless position of the back and neck (sitting at a desk, etc.).
• Neurological examination: Looking for signs of neurological disorders (sensory disorders in the arms or legs, curvature of the spine, pain when palpating the back and neck muscles).
• X-ray of the spine: This method allows you to examine the structure of the spine in one or more levels, detect thinning of the intervertebral discs (elastic formation between the vertebrae), their protrusion towards the spinal canal, as well as marginal growths of the bone tissue of the spine (osteophytes), which are also a consequence of spinal malnutrition and can damage the spinal roots, causing pain and sensory impairment.
• CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine in the neck and spine area: allow a layer-by-layer examination of the structure of the spine and surrounding tissues (intervertebral discs, ligaments) and detect thinning of the intervertebral discs, as well as the presence and size of protrusions (herniation) of intervertebral discs from the space between the vertebrae.

Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis

• Limit the load on the spine (do not lift heavy objects).
• Correct distribution of the load on the spine: for example, carry bags not in one hand, but in both, which will make the load more even.
• Massage of the back and neck and collar area.
• Physiotherapy: a set of exercises to strengthen the spinal muscles.
• Bathe.
• Acupuncture: influencing local processes of tissue destruction of the intervertebral disc through injections with special small needles.
• Painkillers.
• Medicines that reduce muscle tension (muscle relaxants).
• In advanced processes (hernia prolapse with compression of the roots of the spinal cord), surgical treatment (removal of the intervertebral disc, fixation of the affected part of the spine).

Complications and consequences

• Chronic back pain.
• Paralysis (weakness in the arms or legs).
• Poor cerebral blood flow (when the vertebral artery supplying the brain between the cervical vertebrae is narrowed).

Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis

• Gentle work regime: moderate lifting of weights, refusal to lift excessively heavy objects, periodic changes in physical and mental work (to “stretch” the spine).
• Active recreation.
• Gymnastics, morning gymnastics: daily performance of simple exercises that involve the spine (torso rotations, slight bends).